HTTP 415 Unsupported Media Type vs 504 Gateway Timeout
HTTP 415 (Unsupported Media Type) is a 4xx Client Error response, while 504 (Gateway Timeout) is a 5xx Server Error response. 415 indicates that the server refuses to accept the request because the Content-Type is not supported. In contrast, 504 means that the server, acting as a gateway or proxy, did not receive a timely response from the upstream server.
Description
The server refuses to accept the request because the Content-Type is not supported.
When You See It
When sending JSON to an endpoint that only accepts XML, or missing the Content-Type header.
How to Fix
Set the correct Content-Type header matching the data format you're sending.
Description
The server, acting as a gateway or proxy, did not receive a timely response from the upstream server.
When You See It
When an upstream server is too slow to respond within the proxy's timeout window.
How to Fix
Increase proxy timeout settings. Optimize upstream server performance. Check for long-running queries.
Key Differences
415 is a 4xx Client Error response, while 504 is a 5xx Server Error response.
HTTP 415: The server refuses to accept the request because the Content-Type is not supported.
HTTP 504: The server, acting as a gateway or proxy, did not receive a timely response from the upstream server.
You encounter 415 when when sending JSON to an endpoint that only accepts XML, or missing the Content-Type header.
You encounter 504 when when an upstream server is too slow to respond within the proxy's timeout window.
When to Use Which
For 415 (Unsupported Media Type): Set the correct Content-Type header matching the data format you're sending. For 504 (Gateway Timeout): Increase proxy timeout settings. Optimize upstream server performance. Check for long-running queries.